Chapter 14

 

 

A fter taking care of the damp rag for Thomas Edison, Blythe found herself with little to do. Although the moon blocking the solar rays offered a slight respite to the mid-afternoon heat, the sun soon exerted its influence on the weather as it bore down on the already heated soil of the area. After fixing a drink with vinegar and sugar the way Mary had showed her in order to offset the alkali taste of the local water, she sat at the kitchen table next to the back entrance covered by its screen door.

Wearing a wide grin and with bright eyes that appeared to be dancing with excitement, Nancy burst through the back door. “Blythe, do you know where the Hayes are?”

Blythe’s eyes widened at the sight of her roommate’s rumpled hair. She knew the wind was blowing—it always blew—but she did not think it had been blowing hard enough to dislodge most of Nancy’s hairpins. “I believe they are in the front lobby.”

“Thank you.” Nancy took a couple steps toward the door to the hallway and then she turned back and grasped Blythe’s hand not holding her tin cup of water. “Blythe, I’m getting married. Herbert…” Nancy released Blythe’s hand. She clutched her interlaced fingers to her chest and sighed. “Don’t you love that name, Blythe? Herbert sounds so manly.” She dropped her hands and leaned forward, and her gaze met Blythe’s. “He’s coming for me next Saturday. He doesn’t want to get married by the local probate judge, so he said we’ll be wed by the preacher here. He already told his parents his plan and said they can come or not, as they choose. Again, Nancy sighed. “Isn’t that so romantic? By this time next week, I’ll be Mrs. Herbert Walker.”

“Walker?” Blythe forced a smile even as she felt heaviness in her own heart. I was the one who came here to get married. “I thought sheepherders were mostly Basque. I never would have guessed Walker was a Basque name.”

“It’s not.” Nancy giggled. “Mr. Walker—Herbert’s father—does have several Basque sheepherders working for him, but he owns the land and the ranch operations. There are quite a few sheep ranches around here. Herbert says sheep do better in this country than cattle do.”

“I didn’t realize that.” Blythe raised her eyebrows. “That’s wonderful, Nancy. I’m so happy for you that you’re getting married.”

“I need to tell Mrs. Hayes. I’m giving them my notice.” Bouncing as she turned, Nancy faced the door leading to the front. She whirled back toward Blythe. “I only hope they’ll let me stay here and work until Herbert comes for me. I also need to let them know Herbert wants to take me to supper tonight and then spend the evening with me until it gets dark. He has to leave for home first thing in the morning.” She bit her lip, and her pleading was evident in her gaze. “You’ll cover for me, won’t you, Blythe…please? And maybe you’ll be willing to help me get ready for my wedding day? I don’t have time to make a new dress, but they might have something at the mercantile we can make fancy.”

“I’ll be happy to, Nancy.”

“Thank you.” Nancy sighed as if Blythe had granted her a great boon. “I need to talk to Mrs. Hayes.” She spun on the ball of her foot and left the room.

Moving more slowly, Blythe rose from the table and filled the bottom of her cup with enough water to swish out the remnants of the vinegar so it did not corrode the tin. She placed it upside-down on the portion of the counter where she always kept her cup she used until it was time to wash supper dishes. Heaving a sigh, she pulled her apron off the hook and put it on. This would probably be their last busy night, and she would be the only one helping Mary. Maybe, if Nancy’s sheep ranch sweetheart does come for her on Saturday like he told her he is, and she no longer works here, the Hayes will keep me on longer.